Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-22
GoTHER LOCAL ON THIRD PAGE.


In the death of the late O. W. pur.
! cell his family, friends, and the public
have sustained loss which instiiies re-
marks on his character as sincere
friend and euloey as Il useful citizen
which We may not adequately express.
His presence among US was always so
pleasing and his deneasor at all times
80 frank and courteous, his friendship
so ready, his judgment SO reliable, his
company so cOngcnial, that he will be
greatly missed from the business and
social counsels in which he WAS always
valuable and respected associate.
Mr. Purcell commenced his business
career in the employ of Colonel Thomas
Il. Bigger, in about the year 1886, at
the corner Of Thirteenth and Main
streets (Richmond), in the brokerage
business. The admirable traits Of
character of Colonel Bigger soon im-
pressed young Purcell, and they be-
came sincere friends in every sense of
the word while life lasted. After Col
onel Bigger was appointed postmaster
of Richmond Mr.. Purcell continued the
business mt the old stand OF Thomas Il.
Bigger, where he became most popu-
lar and reliable banker aud broker, and
at which he acquired great success. He
became the correspondent OF the most
opulent banks and bankers of the entire
country-Eorth, South, and West and
exhibited ability and practical in
telligence in banking that drew
to bis establishment men inter.
ested as investors as well as in the
use of capital. He possessed the quail
ity of attracting friends to 30 remarka-
bic an extsnt as only to be accounted
for as spontaneous appreciation OF
his manly, inartistic directness Of pur-
pose and candor, of few words, and
without the slightest semblance Of fiat
terry in his whole nature. He was O
captain among men of honorable in-
stincts, without the offensiyeness OF
showing or feeling it. At one time
about the year 184i-he associated
with him Mr.. James A. Cowardin, who
subsequently, founded the Richmond
Dtspatch. And again Mr.. Purcell and
Mr.. Robert Maury were partners in
business. Besides, Mr.. Purcell was
engaged in business in New York under
the style of Hart K Purcell. He was
an active, intelligent, and leading spirit
in business, and had rapidly acquired
afortune, when the contest between the
North and South broke out and trans
formed all industry and business into
the elements Of direful war, the results
Of which few men rightly contemplated
and but few supported with greater
fortitude, resulting in individual loss,
than did he.
The war being over, he engaged in
his business again, though his establish
ment (the old stand on Main street,
had been destroyed 10y the great fire of
1865, together with large property and
investments in stocks and bonds. But
it was like beginning life again, and at
length he retired TO his delightful farm
near the Rlue Ridge mountains, in
Albemarle county, Va, called "Alton
Park"
For years Mr.. Purcell had suffered
with kidney trouble, and at times was
greatly afflicted but he was composed,
resolute, and heroically accomplishing
in agonies OF resistless pain. His de-
meanor was ever courteous, genial, and
buoyant, and never was depression OF
spirits eyinced in him. As business
man he quickly impressed one with his
good Judgment and integrity. Fami-